In the aftermath of the election, the liberal media are concerned that your Thanksgiving dinner table will be a scene of stress and contention.
One Washington Post headline warned, “Fight, Flight or Drink: Surviving Thanksgiving When You Hate How Your Family Voted.” The New York Times offered a set of nineteen questions to ask “loved ones who voted the other way.” Examples such as “Do you still like me?” and “Do you think I’m racist or sexist?” perfectly highlighted the ad hominem tenor of politics this year.
But MRC Culture reporters Sarah Stites and Katie Yoder have another option for you. On this week’s AlliKat Show, they provide some alternative topics of conversation that are sure to touch your heart.
After reading the following five stories, they hope you’ll be reminded of what’s most important this holiday season.
Grandma’s Texting Mishap Leads to New Friendship
Arizona resident Wanda Dench thought she was texting her grandson with a Thanksgiving dinner invite; however, the boy who received the message was high school senior Jamal Hinton, a stranger. Since his own grandma didn’t know how to text, the teen was confused and requested a picture of the sender.
When Dench texted her photo, Hinton laughingly responded: "you not my grandma. Can I still get a plate tho?" Delch responded, “Of course you can. That's what grandma’s [sic] do.” She then proceeded to invite Hinton’s whole family to the celebration.
Hats Off: Elderly Man Knits for Preemies
When his assisted living facility began a campaign to donate hats to premature babies, Ed Moseley wanted to help out. So, the 86-year-old Georgian decided to start knitting. After learning the craft, Moseley made 55 hats. Then by teaching and encouraging others to join in the effort, his facility donated a total of 300 to a local hospital.
“It means a lot to us because this is our second stint in the NICU,” one parent whose baby boy received a cap explained. “To know there are other people who are thinking about the well-being of these babies, our babies, it’s really nice to know.”
Now, Moseley is making hats for all of his grandkids too.
A Sweet Gesture: Theft Inspires Child’s Generosity
When surveillance footage revealed a woman stealing money from the tip jar at a Texas doughnut shop, owner Andy Chhong posted the video online in the hopes that someone might identify the thief. But the video inspired something that Chhong never expected: a handwritten note and $4 from an eight-year-old girl named Chloe.
The letter read: “Dear Donut Man, my mom showed me the video of your money getting stolen. I’m sorry that happened. This is my tooth fairy money.”
Chhong was so touched that he plans to give Chloe free doughnuts for life. “She felt bad about what happened and it’s just so amazing,” he enthused.
Disabled Teacher Breaks Barriers
As a child, Noelia Garella was called a monster. Because of her Down syndrome, she was barred from attending a nursery school in her native country of Argentina. But now, against all odds, the 31-year-old is teaching school and making U.S. headlines for her success.
Although she first faced opposition in her teaching career, Garella soon proved herself. As the former school director who hired her explained, “We very quickly realized that she had a strong vocation. She gave what the children in the nursery classes most appreciate, which is love.”
Media outlets now recognize Garella as the first teacher with Down syndrome to work at a nursery school in Argentina.
Holiday Homecoming: Soldiers Surprise Families for Thanksgiving
For the families of those deployed abroad, Thanksgiving is an especially difficult time. But when soldiers are able to make surprise homecomings, the joy is incomparable.
U.S. Marine Corporal Trey Stinnett thought he wouldn’t be able to make it home for the holiday, so his family wasn’t expecting him. However, at the last minute, he was allowed leave. “I was told at the last second, 'Yeah, you can go home now' and I was like, my mom already knows I'm not coming so I might as well surprise her,” the Marine explained.
He hadn’t been home for three years, and his family was completely shocked and overjoyed. "Finally getting to see [my little brother], that just made my day. It's been perfect," Cpl. Stinnett said.
Watch the show to hear Sarah and Katie talk about the other soldier homecoming stories happening this Thanksgiving.
